some navy ships stationed near virginia beach have been ordered out to sea to ride out the storm. last year, hurricane irene caused the loss of power for more than six million households in the mid-atlantic and the northeastern u.s. forecasters say sandy could leave even more in dark. today, millions of people like robin ledbetter are nervously calculating their chances how likely do you think it is that you're going to need this generator? >> um, i-- like maybe 50%. >> reporter: just north of here, the governor of delaware has ordered a mandatory evacuation of many coastal areas. north of that, on the coast of new jersey, is elaine quijano. elaine. >> reporter: well, chip, this storm could make landfall somewhere between delaware bay and long island sound monday night into tuesday morning, but here in new jersey, the governor has already declared a state of emergency and the weather conditions are expected to begin deteriorating here tonight. >> i'm taking it seriously. >> reporter: james bradley said in 25 years here in point pleasant beach, he'd only boarded up once. now he's d